can|ni|bal|ize

can|ni|bal|ize «KAN uh buh lyz», verb, -ized, -iz|ing.

–v.t.

1. to take usable parts from (a vehicle, piece of machinery, or the like) to assemble or repair another: »

My brother cannibalized a baby carriage to get its wheels for a racing car.

2. a) to eat the flesh of or devour (an animal of the same kind): »

The south polar skua is its own predator, cannibalizing chicks in the nests of its skua neighbors (Scientific American).

b) Figurative: »

“Betty's doing a real good job,” she said firmly. “We girls have got to stop cannibalizing each other” (Harper's).

–v.i.

1. to salvage parts for repair work, or to make repairs by means of salvaged parts.

2. to devour one's own kind; practice cannibalism.

–can´ni|bal|i|za´tion, noun.